Means for holding plate



Se t. 22, 1959 .1. B. BARRETT MEANS FOR HOLDING PLATE Filed July 24. 1957 A A 6 v/ W M 9} I W W) Z) Z 2 i W W m WW g l 2 United States fatent MEANS FOR HOLDING PLATE John B. Barrett, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Parisian Novelty Company, a corporation of Illinois Application July 24, 1957, Serial No. 673,940 9 Claims. (Cl. 40-22) This invention relates to means for holding a plate, such as a name plate, against a flat surface, such as the outer surface of a battery box or the like.

Although the invention may be utilized to secure any plate to a flat surface, it will be described specifically in connection with the securing of a name plate to the outer wall surface of a battery box.

It is customary to provide battery boxes, which are generally molded of hard rubber or similar non-conductive material, with a shallow depression in one of the outer wall surfaces, and to secure a name plate in said depression with an adhesive. The use of adhesive is unsatisfactory because it is slow, relatively expensive, and the results are not always uniform.

In accordance with the present invention, the depression is provided with coplanar extensions adjacent its perimeter. While the coplanar extensions are preferably at each corner, they may be located anywhere along the perimeter of the depression in diametrically opposed relationship. The depression may be circular, or any other shape, instead of rectangular. The coplanar extensions may also have any desired shape, but preferably are of substantially circular surface area. Each extension has a neck portion of reduced width.

The name plate is preferably substantially fiat, but may be embossed. It fits into the depression and is provided with lateral projections which fit loosely in the coplanar extensions. Each of the projections has a width greater than the width of the restricted neck portion of the coplanar extension in which it is positioned.

A deformable locking wafer of slightly smaller size than the coplanar extension is dropped into each extension on top of the projection positioned therein. The locking wafers may be made of any suitable material, which is considerably harder than the hard rubber or similar material of which the battery box is made; stainless steel or other acid-resisting metal is preferred. The locking wafers are in the shape of a convex disk before they are inserted. After insertion they are deformed by a sharp blow with a hammer or punch to fiatten them within said coplanar extensions on top of the lateral projections of the name plate.

The peripheral edge of the locking wafer is preferably beveled to provide a sharp edge. When the locking wafer is flattened in the extension its diameter is expanded slightly, because of its convex curvature, and the sharp peripheral edge of the locking wafer bites into the edge of the battery box defining the coplanar extension. The interengagement of the sharp edge of the locking wafer with the material of the battery box holds the lateral projections of the name plate against movement in a direction perpendicular to the surface against which the name plate is secured. The restricted neck portion of .is provided with integral lateral projections each coplanar extension prevents lateral movement of the projections.

The structure by means of which the above mentioned and other advantages of the invention are attained will be described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery box with a name plate secured to its outer wall surface in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a substantially rectangular name plate provided with lateral projections at each corner;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the 'outer wall surface of the battery box showing the depression and the coplanar extension, with a portion of the name .plate adapted to fit therein;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the name plate secured in the depression;

Fig. 5 is a top elevational view of the locking wafer;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the locking wafer;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken generally along the line 7-7 of Fig. 4, but showing the locking wafer before it is dropped into the coplanar extension of the depression;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view, similar to Fig. 7, with the locking wafer positioned in the coplanar extension before it is flattened into locking engagement with the edges defining said extension;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional View, similar to Fig. 7, with the locking wafer in locking engagement with the edges defining the coplanar extension; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 4.

The reference numeral 2 indicates a box of hard rubber or similar non-conductive material dimensioned to re- The battery box is illusceive a conventional battery. trated merely as an example, since the present invention is concerned only with the side wall 3 which, for the purposes of this invention, might be any substantially flat surface and is not necessarily limited to the side wall of a box.

The outer surface of side Wall 3 is provided with a depression 4, preferably of substantially rectangular configuration, although it may be of any desired shape. Each corner of the rectangular depression 4- is cut angularly, as indicated at 5. A coplanar extension 6 is contiguous to the angular line 5 and has a neck 7 of restricted width. The surface area of the coplanar extension is shown as the major portion of a circle, but it will be obvious that the coplanar extension may be of any desired shape. It is preferred to provide a restricted neck v between the depression and each coplanar extension regardless of the specific shape of the depression or the coplanar extension, because of certain advantages attained thereby, as hereinafter described.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the coplanar extensions are located at each of the four corners of the rectangular depression. However, it will be understood that the coplanar extensions may be located anywhere along the perimeter of the depression, provided they are oppositely disposed. It is preferred to have four extensions with a four-sided or oval shaped depression, but three extensions are suflicient with a triangular or circular depression.

A plate 8 is shaped to fit within the depression 4 and 2,904,912 Patented Sept. 22, 1 959 loosely within each of the coplanar extensions 6, Although the plate 8 is generally a name plate, it may have directions or instructions imprinted on its outer surface. The plate 8 may be of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, and is substantially flat, but may be embossed, if desired. Each lateral projection 9 has a width greater than the width of the restricted neck 7 adjacent the coplanar extension in which the projection is positioned; The restricted width vents lateral movement of each projection '9 relative to the extension 6 in which it is positioned.-

A deformable locking wafer or disk 10, preferably of acid-resistant metal such as stainless steel, is dropped into each coplanar extension 6 on top of'the projection 9 positioned in said extension. The surface area of the locking wafer has the same configuration as the coplanar extension 6 but is slightly smaller, to provide a clearance between the peripheral edge of the locking. Wafer and the edge of the surface. 3'defining the coplanar extension 6. The clearance permits the locking wafer to beeasily dropped into the coplanar extension.

The locking wafer is. curved convexly. Its peripheral edge is beveled, as indicated at ll, to provide a sharp corner 12 at the bottom of the wafer. The material of the locking wafer issubstantially harder than the material of the surface 3. The locking. wafer is deformed after it is dropped into the coplanar extension 6, by, a sharp blow from a punch or hammer.13,which flattens the wafer and expands the circumference of the, lower portion of the locking wafer to cause the sharp edge 12 to' bite into the circumferential edge. defining the CO",

planar extension 6.

Preferably the plate 8 and wafer ltlhave a total overall thickness equal to the depth of the depression 4 when the-wafer is flattened. The biting engagement of the peripheral edge of the lockingwafer with the circumferential edge defining the coplanar extension prevents the lateral projections 9 from mo vingin a direction perpendicular to the plane of the depression 4. The restricted width of the neck 7 prevents lateral movement of the projections 9. It is thereforevirtually impossible to remove the plate 8 from the surface againstwhich it is secured, other than by destruction of the plate or the surface.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of theinvention in considerable detail, it willbe understood that the description thereof is intendedto be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be re.- stricted to the exact construction described.

I,claim:

1. In combination with a surface having a depression provided with a plurality of coplanar extensions each having a neck portion of restricted width, a plate fitting loosely in said depression, said plate having a plurality of laterally extending projections fitting loosely into the coplanar extensions of said depression, each of said pro jections having a portion of greater width than the width of said neck portion to prevent lateral movement of each of said projections through the restricted neck portion, and means rigidly secured in each of said coplanar extensions above the lateral projection to prevent movement of said plate in a-direction perpendicular to saidsurface.

2 In combination with a surface haying a depression provided with a plurality of coplanar extensions each having. a neck portion of restricted width, a plate fitting loosely in said depression, said platehaving aplurality oflaterally extending projections fitting loosely into the coplanar extensions of said depression, each of .said projections having a portion of greater width thanthe width of said neck portion to prevent lateral movernent,

of; each of-said projections throughth'e restricted neck portion, and a disk, positioned in each. of said; coplanar extensions, each ofsaid disks being'superimposedon' the of the neck prtio11-.7 prelateral projection, said disks each having a sharp peripheral edge biting into the peripheral edge defining the coplanar extension to prevent removal of said plate.

3. In combination with a surface having a depression provided with a plurality of coplanar extensions each having a neck portion of restricted width, a plate fitting loosely in said depression, said plate having a plurality of laterally extending projections fitting loosely into the coplanar extensions of said depression, each of said projections having a portion of greater width than the width of said neck portion to prevent lateral movement of each of said projections through the restricted neck portion,

and a deformablediskpositioned in'each of 'said coplanar extensions above the lateral projection and deformed therein to hold said plate in said depression.

4. In combination with a box having an outer wall provided with a depression having a coplanar extension with a neck portion of restricted width, a plate positioned in said depression and having a laterally extending projection fitting loosely in said extension, said projection having a width greater than the width of said restricted neck portion, and a locking wafer superimposed on said projection, said wafer being secured firmly in said extension to hold said plate in said-depression.

5. In combination with a box having an outer wall provided with a depression having a coplanar extension with a neck portion of restricted width, a plate positioned in said depression and having a laterally extending projection fitting loosely in said extension, said projection having a width greater than the width of said restricted neck portion, and means rigidly secured in said coplanar extension above said'lateral projection to prevent movement of said plate in a direction perpendicular to the surface of said wall.

6. In combination with a box having an outer wall provided with a depression having aplurality of coplanar extensions each having a neck portion of restricted width, a plate positioned in said depression and having a laterally extending projection fitting loosely in each of said extensions, each of said projections having a width greater than the width of said restricted neck portion, and means superimposed on each of said projections to prevent movement of said projections in a direction perpendicular to the surface of said outer wall.

7. In combination with a box having an outer wall provided with a depression having a coplanar extension having a neck portion of restrictedwidth, a perpendicular circumferential edge defining said extension a plate positioned in said depression and having a laterally extending projection fitting loosely in saidextension, said projection having a width greater than the width of said restricted neck portion, and a locking Wafer superimposed on said projection, said wafer being harderthan said box and having. a beveled peripheral edge in biting coplanar extension to hold said plate in said depression.

8'. In combination with a box having an outer wall provided with a depression having a plurality of coplanar extensions each having a neck portion of restricted width, a plate positioned in said depression and having a laterally extending projection fitting loosely lin each of said extensions, each of said projections having a width greater than the width of the restricted neck portion, and a normally convexly dished locking wafer superimposed on each of said projections, each of said wafers having a beveled peripheral edge fitting loosely in said coplanar extension in its dished shape, each of said wafers being flattened to expand said peripheral edges into holding engagement with the adjacent edges defining said coplanar extensions.

9. In combination with a battery box having an outer wall provided with a substantially rectangular depression, a depression of substantially circular surface area positioned adjacent each cornerof said firstmentioned depression and connected thereto by a neck portion of re stricted width, a plate fitting loosely in said first depression and having lateral projections fitting loosely in each of said substantially circular depressions, each of said lateral projections having a width greater than the width of the neck portion, and a circular wafer fixed in each of said substantially circular depressions above the projections of said plate to prevent removal of said plate from said battery box.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Upton Sept. 21, 1937 Young Nov. 9, 1937 Thomas Nov. 9, 1937 Weisser Dec. 27, 1938 

